LEPIDOPTERA

• N Y M P H A L I D A E Swainson, 1827

  • ARGYNNIS Fabricius, 1807

    
    

    • Argynnis zenobia Leech, 1890

Argynnis zenobia Leech, 1890

• TYPE LOCALITY. «Ta-Chien-Lu» [China, Sichuan, Ta-Tsien-Lou].

• RANGE. S. Ussuri region; China.

• DISTRIBUTION AND VARIATION. The nominotypical subspecies inhabits China. The ssp. penelope Staudinger, [1892] occurs in the S. Ussuri region. This subspecies differs from the nominotypical one by the predominance of a dark form in the females.

• HABITATS AND BIOLOGY. The life history has been described in due detail by Omeiko & Omeiko (1978). Deciduous forest with domination of oaks. Flight period: July to August. Females stay in forest canopy but males usually "patrol" the territory along cliffs and screes up to 800 m a.s.l. Adults often visit Sorbaria sorbifolia flowers. Females lay eggs one by one or in small groups in crevices in cliffs, between rocks or on leaves of the host plant, Viola variegata. Larvae of instars 2 and 3 hibernating. Pupation on rocks, branches or open roots. Pupal stage lasting 25-30 days.

• SIMILAR SPECIES. Argynnis paphia: smaller; UNH with ambiguous vertical silvery spots against a greenish ground color; white spots at apex of UNF absent.

Photo and text: Guide to the BUTTERFLIES OF RUSSIA and adjacent territories Volume 2. PENSOFT, Sofia - Moscow. 2000